Sixth Form Enrichment Programme
Sixth Form Enrichment
We have an extensive programme of enrichment to ensure that our students enjoy life outside their curriculum-based work. This includes the opportunity to take part in societies, clubs and competitions, expeditions through World Challenge, a community volunteering programme, and an extensive range of guest speakers’ talks, trips and visits. Students have also been very successful in their Young Enterprise Company programme, achieving awards for team work and product design. The opportunity to undertake extended work experience in Year 12, and support in finding placements and appropriate programmes, university residential courses and summer schools is always welcomed by our students.
Former students offer support through the Future First network, giving additional insight opportunities to network and gain experience with female leaders across a range of industries.
Sixth Form Enrichment Trips
Community Service
All Year 12 students are given the opportunity, time and support to undertake community service either within school or out in the community. We believe this is a very worthwhile undertaking as students can:
- Make a difference to the lives of others
- Gain work experience
- Make new friends, meet interesting people
- Develop personal and social skills
- Enhance their CV / personal statement / reference
Students organise their own placements and ‘typical’ placements include working in a care home, primary school or charity shop and supporting pupils in lessons. Students also volunteer to be part of the charity committee. On average students spend one afternoon a week at their placement.
World Challenge
At Bishop’s we have a long tradition of running World Challenge expeditions which enable our Sixth Form students to build life skills. The experience fosters an awareness of safety, quality and ethical community engagement whilst promoting courage, kindness and confidence. Expedition destinations have included Nepal, Honduras, Peru, Thailand, Brazil, Namibia, Costa Rica, Swaziland, Malaysia and Borneo. Our next trip is to Cambodia in 2026.
Read about our students who went on the World Challenge expedition in Borneo in 2024 WC Borneo 2024 and in Malaysia in 2023 WC Malaysia 2023 student blog
Sixth Form Life Skills
“To help students understand themselves as individuals and their relationships with others, and to understand and participate in society as informed, competent, responsible, caring individuals.”
All Sixth Form students participate in Life Skills sessions which are held on Friday mornings. The lessons prepare students to make the transition from school to higher education, further education, work and the changing roles and responsibilities in the adult world.
Topics are covered using a wide range of methods including case studies, videos, role-play, mock interviews, individual career interviews, visits, debates, outside speakers and workshops.
The activities enable the students to develop a wide range of skills including:
Decision Taking- Information gathering
- Information Assessment & Analysis
- Interview Skills
- Self Reliance
- Study Skills
- Problem Solving
- Organisation Skills
Life Skills Core Themes:
- Heath and Wellbeing
– Self-concept
– Mental health and emotional wellbeing
– Healthy lifestyles
– Managing risk and personal safety
– Sexual health
– Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco - Relationships
– Relationship values
– Forming and maintaining respectful relationships
– Consent
– Contraception and parenthood
– Bullying, abuse and discrimination - Living in the wider world
– Choices and pathways
– Work and career
– Employment rights and responsibilities
– Financial choices
– Media literacy and digital resilience
Young Enterprise
Running throughout Year 12, students make all the decisions about their enterprise, from deciding on the name and product to creating a business plan, managing the student company finances and selling to the public at trade fairs.
All this takes place with the support of a volunteer Business Adviser who brings a wealth of business knowledge and expertise. A range of resources are provided to help manage the company. Teams track their progress using self-assessment tools and even compete against other schools in local, regional and national competitions.
Some of our Young Enterprise participants’ achievements: Young Enterprise Team Ecofuse wins Best Customer Service Award
Leadership Roles
Taking on leadership roles and positions of responsibility is an important part of being a sixth-former at Bishop’s and nearly all our students take up these opportunities to develop their skills and talents. Roles are available at different levels with our student leadership structure. From Head Student to Senior Prefects, Academic Prefects to Subject Prefects or House Captains and Vice-Captains, there are many opportunities to contribute to our school, act as role models for younger pupils and thus, develop a variety of skills to become better prepared for adult life.
- Head Student
This is the most senior role and involves working closely with the senior leadership team to run the School Council, oversee prefects and represent the school. There are also opportunities to support younger pupils, such as through mentoring, sustainability initiatives or enrichment activities. - Senior Prefect
Leading and supporting school activities and younger pupils as Anti-bullying Leaders, Events Ambassadors, Sustainability Champions, Sixth Form Transition Leaders. - Academic/Pastoral Prefect
Mentoring GCSE pupils or supporting younger years with Maths or Literacy activities; supporting new Year 7 in their transition to secondary school or acting as personal coaches. - Subject Prefect
Representing specific subjects (e.g. Science, Languages, Library) at school events and providing support within that Department, e.g. in enrichment and sporting clubs. - House Captain and Vice-Captain
Inspiring younger pupils to get involved in House events as well as supporting the organisation of these activities.
Volunteering
Sixth Form students are encouraged to participate in Voluntary Community Service which helps the students through:
- Making a difference to the lives of others
- Gaining work experience
- Making new friends
- Meeting interesting people
- Developing personal and social skills
- Enhancing cv /personal statement /reference
Work Experience
All students are advised to spend at least a week on Work Experience or Work Shadowing.
For example, shadowing Grant Shapps at the Houses of Parliament, working at the Royal Free Hospital or Deloitte. To facilitate this we have an Extended Learning Week at the end of each Summer Term.
